Blogs from Lauca National Park, Arica & Parinacota, Chile, South America

First of all dear blog followers a confession. I have had my first South American MacDonalds.Wandering around the city of Arica in search of an iron construction church designed by Eiffel - he who built the tower that bears his name in Paris- I saw the golden arches on top of a large pole. I started to salivated. Resistance was futile as having not eaten anything except Henny's grapes the night before, and despite the promise I try and make every time I go away to solely eat the food of the country I am in, I caved in and wandered inside. It was like a magnet and there was nothing I could do to resist. It was also a public holiday in ... read more

1.Celebrate your history at UICCP: What is a mountain that you think you have climbed since your time here at UICCP? Be specific and explain. What helped you cross this mountain? the moutain that I think that I have climbes since being here at UICCP, was taking over and ackleing my junior year, it was my first year at UICCP, and I tooked it over and conqured it. 2. What immediate mountain is before you in your final semester as a senior? Be specific. How do you plan to tackle this mountain? How do you need help climbing this mountain? The immidate mountain that i will take over final semester is presenting my senior portfollio, I think this will be a challenge beacuse I have to practice on my public speaking skills without being nervous, this ... read more

Still in Putre the weather has been clear and hot and as of now still no rain, It occurred to me that I have not seen rain for 4 months, that has to be a record for me. As a result the the ground is so dry and dusty and dust storms although small because of the lack of wind can be seen in the distance. We met a girl called Katie from Montana, on befriending here she inspired me to take another look and the cave painting in the valley a few miles from the hostel, We stuck to the trail over the ridge instead of climbing over it, it took at lot longer but was a lot easier than our first excursion scrambling through cactus. The following day we borrowed a car from our ... read more

We soon settled back in Putre in Chakana mountain lodge and having been a wee bit stagnant for some time we decided on another trek, John decided it was time for me to learn how to repel, Oh lordie! We climbed a nearby "hill" (my arse Mallorey would have been proud of me) Again I am reminded how I love to trek but just don't get the same satisfaction from climbing, Perhaps I am spoiled and not at all versed on the gratification of achieving such heights (pardon the pun). We reached the top much to my amazement and tried to find a spot to tie off the anchor (I hope I'm getting the repelling jargon correct) I was doubtful of my abilities but decided I needed to "cowboy up" and just go for it, We ... read more

May 10th Another sleepless night, regardless of beer and wine the previous evening, neither of us slept, the altitude was kicking our arises, Got up and had another lovely breakfast, so nice to have good coffee in a warm homely kitchen. Today we decided to take a look at Parque Lauca, one of the highest national parks in the world, we certainly weren't disappointed………. Franklin our guide picked us up about 9am, we packed a lunch and took off in a little 4wd. We entered the park and stopped at some caves, They were used for many years by some travelers as a rest stop as they are situated on the side of the road that leads from Bolivia to Chile. Further along Volcan Parinacota came into view, Majestic and enormous it dwarfs everything around it, ... read more